Take a day trip around Columbia’s Main Street

Calendars may not agree, but for most Columbians who define seasons by school dates, football schedules and Labor Day, summer is over.

With football games taking up many Saturdays, school assignments, soccer leagues, dance lessons and just an overall sense of fall being here despite the continued hot temperatures, it’s’ hard to take vacations — even day trips.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Sometimes taking a day trip at home can be fun as well as enlightening.

In fact, you can spend a day on Main Street and probably find a few new things, even if you’re a Columbia native.

Whether you want to get an uniquely yummy ice cream cone at Sweat Cream Company, a cup of coffee at Drip, grab some old fashioned candy at Mast General Store or browse the exhibits at the Columbia Museum of Art, Main Street has much to offer.

And here are a few things you can find that you might not have noticed before:

Jubilaeus

With the Columbia Museum of Art located on Main Street, it’s not surprising to find sculptures or other artwork downtown.

This statue is located in the Bank of America Plaza and was created by Gretchen Lorthrop in 1996, to to commemorate the Olympic Torch run through Columbia.

Columbia artist Blue Sky has gifted downtown with several iconic works, including this welded sculpture that connects two historic buildings, the Kress Building and Sylvan Building on Main Street.

According to the artist’s website, www.blueskyart.com, Sky created the integrated chain sculpture in 2000, commissioning and funding the entire project. The chain is comprised of true welded steel, with the words “Neverburst” on the center links.

According to the website, "Fearing censorship by the city but with the approval of the owners of both buildings he surreptitiously installed "NEVERBUST" early on a Sunday morning. Because it chains two historic buildings together and hovers over city property, the city of Columbia's Landmarks Commission ultimately held a hearing to determine its fate. It was unanimously approved by the committee due to the artist's international reputation as a mastermind of public art - and because they liked it.

“When asked why he put the chain there, Sky said, ‘One building looked like it was leaning a little bit’."

OK, so the capital building isn’t exactly on Main Street. But since Main Street is dissected by the State House, we’re going to count it.

While the State House itself isn’t exactly a subtlety, there are perhaps some things hidden on the grounds that are worth seeing.

The State House sits on 18 acres, and history abounds. Sherman's cannons shelled the blue granite walls of the unfinished building, tens of thousands of citizens rallied on behalf of civil rights and the Confederate flag was ceremoniously removed from the dome.

There are statues of several historical figures on the grounds, including George Washington on the steps. The statue is one of six bronze replicas created in 1857 from the original marble statue (1789), which adorns the capitol in Richmond, Va. The State of South Carolina purchased the bronze replica in 1858 to be placed in the newly constructed State House. The walking cane was broken during the move to its current location outside the State House.

Also on the State House grounds is a replica of the Liberty Bell, one of 55 cast in France in 1950. It was given to the people of South Carolina by John W. Snyder, Secretary of State as a savings bond drive.

You’ll also find a State House monument on the grounds, erected in 1938 to mark the location of the second State House that was built between 1709 and 1790 and burned in February of 1865 during the Civil War.

The Columbia Regional Visitors Center has a brochure available with a self-guided walking tour of the State House.

On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia stay open late and turn Main Street into a party with specials, events, food and entertainment.

Soda City turns Main Street into an outdoor market every Saturday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Vendors offer food, drink, crafts and entertainment.

This is more than a bar and restaurant; it’s a boutique bowling alley as well.

The Grand offers food and drinks, and games — inside and out. You can play classic games like Battleship and Jenga, chill on an outdoor plaza, hang out in a taproom or eat appetizers, brunch, lunch or dinner.

Main Street also has it’s very own unique movie theatre.

Founded in 1979, the Nickelodeon moved into the former Fox Theatre in 2012.

The Nick’s programming is now comprised of a mix of first-run independent films, special curated series, and one-off screenings of films of relevance to the community. The Nickelodeon often provides opportunities for conversation before and after screenings, pulling together experts and community members as speakers and respondents.

The theatre also offers favorite Christmas movies each season.

Built in 1934 in Art Deco style, the Kress Building once housed the SH Kress & Co. five-and-dime department store. that once had a “Whites Only” lunch counter. The Kress Building is one of the eight locations in Columbia where students protested and held sit-ins during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.

Main Street is full of history, and on occasion Historic Columbia offers walking tours to share that history. Go to www.historiccolumbia.org for a schedule of Historic Columbia events and tours.

Today, the building is home to Cowboy Brazilian Steahouse and Capitol Places apartments.

www.experiencecolumbiasc.com/blog/post/african-american-history-sites-in-columbia-sc/

Many Columbians may argue with you if you mention there is a mall on Main Street.

In fact, the L-shaped mall with entrances on both Main and Washington streets, doesn’t look like a mall at all from the outside.

But the Arcade Mall was the first enclosed mall in South Carolina and today, it’s being renovated to restore it to its pre-World War I glory.

The Equitable Arcade (its official name) was built in 1912. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first enclosed mall in South Carolina and surrounds the Barringer Building, the state's first "skyscraper" at the corner of Main and Washington streets.

The exterior of the building is Italian terra cotta, as is a significant portion of the interior columns and balcony.

The building isn’t just an intriguing part of history; you can also get something to eat there or shop.

Longtime tenants of the mall include Salon Sole, Swanson’s Deli, His and Hers Tailoring, art galleries including Blue Sky’s, Capital Quarters and Le Chic Hair Salon are among them. New tenants include Pita Pit, Stoner’s Pizza, Wilhelmina Waxing Parlour, Dr. Phone Fix and Pelliclaude handmade gifts.